More than 1000 people marked the 175th anniversary of The Battle of Te Ruapekapeka — one of the most significant conflicts in Northland, and New Zealand, history — with three days of commemorations focused on remembrance and reconciliation. Reporter Peter de Graaf captured the final day's ceremony at the historic Ruapekapeka Pā south of Kawakawa.
![Auckland Black Powder Club member Mark Brooke in the 1840s uniform of a corporal of the 96th Regiment. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/BGSYSTBWTNAJ5ZJIZCMB4PVZAA.jpg?auth=769271c3a12de8da72568ba2d10af1e5e88f85b46d9de064a2f61fc834d558f6&width=16&height=26&quality=70&smart=true)
![Paul Carney, of Te Puke, in the uniform of a regular soldier of the 58th Rutlandshire Regiment. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/ZP67DXRZHER6PVSEVQTO3BQTDA.jpg?auth=1772794180284af126c4db1e8a1c3d738056c2ee248067eba6264f7fc9e2c1be&width=16&height=24&quality=70&smart=true)
![Te Kuka Tukaokao left) and Koro Nicholas of Tauranga Moana. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/JMWUXM2T2DWRNJUDIL6CKAQF6I.jpg?auth=1ad670fa47efcdaa488babe7ada04edfe947088554f6219fcd891ca4b76e0764&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
![Te Kauri McPherson waits for the haka pōwhiri to begin. Photo / Peter de Graaf](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/3YTA2LKFY3ARWBES7CZTRV6R5I.jpg?auth=fdacf4c942e79fdb716e83542306b92b9f14372bece516d632b1d8a5792e8c25&width=16&height=26&quality=70&smart=true)